Search for mind stretchers Bible Reading: II Corinthians 3
I once heard Joel Osteen tell a story about a dog that was caught up in an accident which resulted to a partial paralysis of its two hind limbs. This dog was given necessary treatment to keep it from dying. However, after the treatment, it could only walk with its forelimbs and kept dragging its hind limbs while walking. Some weeks later, the dog delivered some puppies and after a few days, they were able to walk normally. But as they continued to grow and develop, the puppies noticed that their mother always dragged its hind limbs. So they started doing the same while walking. The owner of the dog was surprised to suddenly see the puppies walking like their mother and decided to take them to a vet doctor for check up. After conducting several tests, the doctor explained that the puppies were all normal. But what went wrong? Why did they suddenly start to drag their hind limbs like their mother?
Simple! You become what you constantly behold. Even though the puppies had all the natural ability to walk normally, they have constantly been exposed to feet-dragging walking steps, and the ‘abnormal’ has become normal to them. Likewise, we all have the same spiritual ability to grow spiritually, but many of us are still engaged in a feet-dragging exercise because we are constantly exposed to feet-draggers. This comes in the form of messages we hear, books we read, movies we watch, companies we keep, etc.
Here’s how the bible elucidates it – “But we all, looking on the glory of the Lord, with unveiled face, are transformed according to the same image from glory to glory” II Cor 3:18.
Yes! You do not need to tell us what/who you constantly expose yourself to, because your life is enough to tell us. Therefore, if we tend to become what we behold, what manner of people should we surround ourselves with?
Can we learn from Peter’s experience? He may never have walked on water if he did not see Jesus walking on water. Jesus’ action stretched his mind to the point where the impossible became possible to him. And you know what; it is not easy for the mind to return to its original state after it has been stretched. You need to be in the company of people who stretch your mind positively. “Do not be tricked by false words: evil company does damage to good behaviour” I Cor 15:33.
Do not be like Lot in the bible who was a good man but was encompassed by the evil people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Although we constantly live an evil world, we should be careful about the people we allow to be in our inner circle.
Who are your five closest friends? Do they appear to be progressing spiritually?
What are the last three books/materials you read? Did they cause a spark in you to become more like Jesus?
Why did you attend Church last 1 month? Is it because of what “they” will say if you did not attend or because you will receive information and fellowship that will make you re-read your bible and stretch your mind towards spiritual growth.
Beloved, let me stop here with one of my favorite statements – “you cannot fly with the eagles if you constantly scratch with the chickens”.
– tope aladenusi